A/HRC/13/40/Add.4 67. While the Special Rapporteur very much welcomes the recent ratification of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights by the Lao People’s Democratic Republic, she regrets that the Government has felt it necessary to enter a declaration stating that all acts creating division among religions are incompatible with article 18 of the Covenant. The Special Rapporteur is concerned that the domestic concept of “acts creating division among religions” is highly subjective and vague, which increases the risk of it being abused to prohibit religious activities that are protected under international law, for example the teaching and dissemination of religious beliefs. Arguably, the declaration of 25 September 2009 is not in line with the text and spirit of the Covenant and the Special Rapporteur consequently encourages the Government to keep its declaration under review and to revisit it in the near future. 68. Furthermore, the Special Rapporteur is concerned about the inadequate level of implementation of the legislative protection for freedom of religion or belief. The central and provincial authorities should ensure that the local administration level ceases ordering evictions or otherwise trying to coerce Christians to renounce their faith. The Special Rapporteur also calls for the immediate release of religious prisoners of conscience. During her mission she has received positive signals from the Government regarding the release of Mr. Boon Chanh, who has been imprisoned for more than ten years, allegedly also in relation to his religious activities. The Government should thoroughly investigate all cases with a link to freedom of religion or belief and find prompt remedies for those who may have been victimized or continue to suffer. In addition, various state authorities and international donors could envisage supporting legal aid programmes in order to help, inter alia, members of religious minorities and provide capacity-building to grass-roots initiatives. 69. Since members of religious minorities seem to have little or no access to higher education, the Special Rapporteur recommends extending the affirmative action schemes, which already exist in education policy for members of ethnic minorities, to religious minorities. Furthermore, the current limitations and authorization requirements for the printing of books related to religion and for communication of believers with foreign organizations should be reformed in line with international human rights standards. Similarly, the bureaucratic controls of religious leaders and impediments concerning their liberty of movement in the context of religious activities should be discontinued. 70. With regard to religious freedom of persons deprived of their liberty, the State should provide the personnel of detention facilities with adequate training, raising awareness of and enhancing their sensitivity as to their duty to promote and respect international human rights standards for the treatment of prisoners, including the right to freedom of religion or belief. In order to prevent any potential abuse by prison staff, the State should also ensure that detention facilities are the object of intense public scrutiny and put in place effective complaints mechanisms. 71. The Special Rapporteur notes with interest that the Government has adopted a Legal Sector Master Plan which, inter alia, calls for the implementation of a research project on customary justice practices by collecting local and customary rules especially among minority ethnic people. Research is currently being implemented by the Ministry of Justice and the United Nations Development Programme, which may ultimately lead to a better understanding of customary legal practices and improved access to justice for villagers living in remote areas. It should also promote the application of international human rights standards, including on freedom of religion or belief as enshrined in the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. While the beliefs of animists or ancestor worshippers should be respected in principle, 20 GE.10-10542